Chapter 1314 - 1186: Deep Affection, Fragrant Rice Dumplings

Chapter 1314: Chapter 1186: Deep Affection, Fragrant Rice Dumplings

Returning home from a midday break, Zhang Guoqing stepped into his courtyard and was greeted by the aroma of rice dumplings wafting through the air, and saw the kitchen eaves adorned with hanging rice dumplings.

Strings of small, delicate dumplings, each bound with colorful threads. Some were triangular, some cylindrical, some pointed, and some conical...

His wife had turned dumpling wrapping into an art form.

This made Zhang Guoqing chuckle silently; in past years, his wife’s culinary skills had been underestimated. Indeed, there was a festive atmosphere to it.

Yi Jiefang couldn’t resist showing off to his buddies, and shamelessly followed Zhang Guoqing, promptly pushing him aside at the entrance before rushing to the kitchen door.

"Sis, your brother is here."

Zhang Guoqing burst into laughter upon hearing this.

"Great timing, now I don’t have to send them over," Zhou Jiao said as she emerged from the kitchen, smiling brightly at Yi Jiefang. She pointed at the hanging dumplings, "Which flavor do you like? I’ll pick some for you."

"I knew my sister was the best," Yi Jiefang joked, poking the dumplings with his finger and sniffing them, "Oh my, they truly are bite-sized treats."

Zhang Guoqing had bragged about them to him, and he had been skeptical, but it turns out he wasn’t exaggerating!

Zhou Jiao nervously assumed he found them too small, so she quickly asked Zhang Guoqing to take down two bunches; surely twenty would be enough? Anymore, and they wouldn’t be enough to share!

"Hold on, let me try one first."

Zhou Jiao hurriedly ushered him into the kitchen to do it himself. The ones she hung under the eaves were the best-looking ones, intended for him to take back for Little Tangtang and his siblings to play with.

"Mmm, delicious!" Yi Jiefang gulped down the second dumpling, smacking his lips with satisfaction, "Had I known, I’d have had my wife bring materials over; her dumplings are one for the price of three."

Zhang Guoqing shot him a playful glance, "You’re lucky your wife can’t make one dumpling count for three when she’s making jiaozi."

"Still, my wife is way more capable than Da Yong’s wife."

"Keep bragging~ you don’t have to pay taxes for that," Zhang Guoqing took down two bunches of dumplings, hooked his arm through Yi Jiefang’s shoulder and started walking him out, "I won’t be sending you back. I’ll have someone deliver the shares for Da Yong and the others in a minute."

"Alright, do you have enough realgar at home?"

"I’ve prepared plenty."

The pair linked arms and had just stepped out of the house when Yi Jiefang’s eldest and Wan Dayong’s eldest son arrived, both carrying dumplings.

"Fifth Uncle, my mom asked us to bring these over for Fifth Aunt to try."

"Fifth Uncle, my mom said my dad’s workplace shared these today, not sure if they’re any good. She didn’t make any this year, so we want you to taste them. If they’re good, we’ll buy some ourselves next time."

"Where’s Fifth Aunt? I’m here to trade. My mom’s skills aren’t up to par, and the dumplings my grandma makes have been the same for centuries. You’ll have to make do."

Zhang Guoqing chuckled at the nephews from several families, "You brats! Who told you to call me Fifth Uncle?"

They were not bothered by Zhang Guoqing, laughing heartily, "Our dad said it."

"We’re heading inside."

"Can’t help it, your real name is Xiao Wu, isn’t it perfect?" Yi Jiefang patted his buddy’s shoulder, "Go on, your brother needs to head back."

"Get outta here! Can’t distinguish my real name from my nickname." Zhang Guoqing cursed jokingly, handing him the dumplings, "Don’t eat too much, you’ll have indigestion."

Four kids from four families hopped into the kitchen, leaving Geng Dazhi’s son to stumble over with a small bamboo basket, yelling before he even arrived.

"Uncle, come help me, I’m exhausted."

"What’s wrong?" Zhang Guoqing glanced at the bamboo basket, got it, this time it was sea crabs; probably moon crabs during the Mid-Autumn Festival, "Your dad made you deliver things door-to-door again?"

"Haha~ it’s not that many places, just a few things. My dad said, how about we provide each family a couple to add a dish. My mom said not to offer her dumplings this time."

"This afternoon, celebrating at the Big Courtyard?"

"Yes, many family members are gathering for lunch, and my dad said he won’t come over yet. If you have events planned, remember to call him."

In Geng Dazhi’s five-person group, he had the widest connections; every holiday he’d bring a dish to share, and over time everyone got accustomed.

The group accepted the goods silently, and they would share good things among themselves when they had some. As Yi Jiefang would put it, no need for formalities among brothers; just keep it in mind.

Judging from the situation, these crabs were obtained through a railway colleague’s connections, and Zhang Guoqing planned to eventually find a pig to slaughter and split among families.

Eating others’ goods all the time wasn’t sustainable, was it?

When Ping’an Brothers returned home after delivering dumplings, they also brought back a large bundle of dumplings.

Zhou Jiao found herself exasperated and amused at the sight of a large platter of dumplings. Thankfully, there were enough guards in the house, otherwise they wouldn’t be able to finish them.

With the socializing squared away, the family finally gathered around the dining table for a meal.

Just a few bites in, the phone rang incessantly once more...

May 1st stood up, "I’ll go answer it."

Soon, May 1st’s voice was heard calling, "Mom, come over and take the call."

"Little Uncle, are you calling from home or elsewhere? It’s Dragon Boat Festival today, have you eaten dumplings? ... Oh, me? Yes, today’s my grandpa and mom’s birthday..."

"...It’s just dawn here, I’m not home; as soon as the school break started, I went on a business trip and can’t return... When are you going abroad, I’ll pick you up."

August is the estimate... Mom is here..."

As Zhou Jiao came over, taking the phone from her son, she heard Miao Tianming’s voice, "Sis, first let me wish you a happy birthday."

"Thanks." Zhou Jiao estimated the time difference, "What time is it there? Calling tonight would still be feasible, it’s just a birthday after all."

"Sis, are you hesitant to celebrate your birthday? Every birthday means a year older, doesn’t it? Hahaha... Rest assured, my sister’s still a great beauty..."

May 1st pursed his lips, turning away muttering, "Being overseas for so long, truly getting influenced; such an honest kid, starting to become cheeky."

Ping’an and Liu Yi turned to glance at their brother walking by, laughing heartily.

"What’s up?"

The two brothers shook their heads at Miao Lishan.

"Grandpa, Little Uncle wanted me to wish you a happy birthday." After May 1st sat down, he followed up, "Grandma, aren’t you going to take the call? It’s an overseas call from Little Uncle."

Miao Lishan’s eyes brightened upon hearing this, quickly setting her chopsticks down and looking towards Zhou Xiaozheng. Finally, they could call home, this indicated that with just some caution on speech, it was safe?

Zhou Xiaozheng slightly pointed his chin towards the phone, gesturing for her to answer.

The recent meeting had passed a resolution, granting broad amnesty to former GMD party*government*military*special personnel below the county and team levels, restoring their political*rights.

Even this was unlocked, not to mention the Miao family’s data, which he had long submitted for filing. However, one thing remained: his wife could likely never officially recognize the Miao family.

Fortunately, bridging through their daughter’s husband who had saved Miao Tianming, without this link, he would truly feel ashamed towards this foolish woman.